There was jubilation for Reds fans this week as they turned over Manchester City on Wednesday night, but the celebrations may be short lived as Liverpool's looming injury crisis worsens.
Emre Can injured his back against Watford two weeks ago with manager Jurgen Klopp hopeful of having the 24-year-old available for the weekend, but now it appears that the German's return has been delayed again. The Liverpool Echo reports that Can is expected to be sidelined for another couple of weeks and with Can's contract running out in the summer there are fears that he may have played his last game for the club.
Liverpool only have three senior midfielders available for the return leg of their Champions League tie against Manchester City in Gini Wijnaldum, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner. Adam Lallana injured his hamstring in the win over Crystal Palace last Saturday, while Jordan Henderson misses the tie due to picking up his third yellow card of the tournament. Joel Matip has also been known to play in midfield but the Cameroon defender has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a thigh injury.
The Reds are also threadbare in defence with Joe Gomez & Ragnar Klavan also on the treatment table and Nathaniel Clyne only recently returning to full fitness. The Merseyside club are expected to rest much of their first team for their derby clash with Everton at the weekend. Irish youngster Conor Masterson was on the bench during the week and could feature in the 12.30 kick-off.
Liverpool do have 21-year-old Marko Grujic out on loan to promotion chasers Cardiff City, but the Liverpool Echo reports that the Anfield club are unable to call him back from that loan. Reds fans do have some good news however, with Mohamed Salah's groin problem not thought to be serious, with the Egyptian in with a shout of featuring at the Etihad on Tuesday.
